D3.3 - Review of events

This deliverable reflects on the activities revolving around the second round of National Engagement Events, which built upon the achievements of the initial round in 2023, and Thematic Events. These events aimed to inform key stakeholders - land managers, researchers, public authorities, and businesses - about the opportunities and support available for applying to two topics in the MissionSoil call for proposals related to the establishment of Soil Health Living Labs. The call, published on April 17, 2024, invited the stakeholders to apply for two key topics: co-creating solutions for soil health in living labs and establishing living labs in urban areas to promote healthy soils. Running from mid-April to mid-July 2024 and spanning 44 EU Member States and Associated Countries, the National Engagement Events attracted nearly 2,600 participants. These events effectively raised awareness of Mission Soil and provided crucial information about the available funding opportunities. By offering insights into proposal preparation and facilitating networking, matchmaking, and pitching opportunities, the National Engagement Events and the Thematic Eventsplayed a pivotal role in supporting the potential applicants. The organisation of the second round of events incorporated recommendations from the partners,the Executive Board, the Mission Secretariat, the European Research Executive Agency (REA), the Mission Board and applicants of the 2023 Living Lab topics based on insights from the first round.Specifically, efforts were made to better engage Northern European and Baltic countries by organising two dedicated events to connect stakeholders and potential applicants from these regions.The feedback collecte from participants will be vital for the SOILL-Startup project, which aims to build upon the legacy of NATI00NS by extending support to both applicants and the broader network of Mission Soil Living Labs and Lighthouses. The achievements of the events, combined with the established support system, underscore the growing momentum behind the Mission Soil. Stakeholders are encouraged to leverage these resources as they contribute to the advancement ofsustainable soil management across Europe and beyond. The document is made up of three main parts, which focus on the analysis of the NationalEngagement events Round #2, analysis of the Thematic Events, a synthesis with the key messages, recommendations and lessons learnt.